Philcon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philadelphia Science Fiction Conference |
|
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Venue | Crowne Plaza Hotel |
| Location(s) | Cherry Hill, New Jersey |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 1936 |
| Attendance | About 800 in 2013 |
| Organized by | Philadelphia Science Fiction Society |
Philcon, also known as the "Philadelphia Science Fiction Conference", is a yearly three-day event. It celebrates science fiction and fantasy. The convention takes place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society (PSFS) organizes this fun gathering.
The Start of Philcon
Philcon began way back in 1936. A small group of science fiction fans traveled from New York to Philadelphia. They met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. This was one of the very first times fans from different cities met up.
They had a meeting at the home of a fan named Milton A. Rothman. They talked about science fiction and even played some games. Some people went to see John Baltadonis's art collection. He also had a printing press for the PSFS newsletter. On their way home, some fans even sang early filk songs. These are songs about science fiction.
One of the people there, John B. Michel, wrote about the day. This was the first ever report about a fan convention.
Nine people attended the first Philcon in 1936. They were Ossie Train, Donald A. Wollheim, Milton A. Rothman, Frederik Pohl, John B. Michel, Will Sykora, David Kyle, Robert A. Madle, and John Baltadonis. Pohl excluded Herbert Goudket, who took the picture shown. Others are thought to have attended, but they are not shown in the picture.
Some people think the 1936 Philcon was the very first science fiction convention ever. Others believe a meeting in Leeds, England, in 1937 was the first. That event had a full program and speakers.
In 2020, Philcon was held online. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philcon and Worldcon
The World Science Fiction Convention, or Worldcon, is a huge international event. Philadelphia has hosted Worldcon three times. These events were also called Philcon:
- The 5th World Science Fiction Convention, called Philcon I, was held in 1947.
- The 11th World Science Fiction Convention, called Philcon II, was held in 1953.
- The 59th World Science Fiction Convention, called the Millennium Philcon, was held in 2001.
